Most of our sections have the so called „Buddy Programme“. Its aim is to connect the exchange students with local students by matching them prior to their arrival. The buddy’s mission is to help the exchange student acclimatize to his new surrounding. They can help in many ways that the university can’t provide, be it finding the right shops, getting a public transport ticket, getting to know to university campus and of course being integrated into the local community.

 

The profit of taking part in the Buddy Programme applies to both sides. The local student gets the chance to meet new people from all over the world, learn about their culture, their language and get a sense of the Erasmus feeling. The exchange student on the other hand will not only have an easier start into his semester abroad, he also will have the chance to break out of the “exchange students only”- cycle and befriend locals. This is a better and more authentic way of diving into Austria’s culture than any class at school could accomplish.

 

If you are interested in taking part in the Buddy Programme, please contact your local ESN section about the details. You can find a complete list of them here.